But Peter Jackson has denied the claims publicly on Facebook and now it's the studios' turn.

New Line and WB issued a joint statement, which reads:

Warner Bros Pictures and New Line Cinema join Peter Jackson and the producers of The Hobbit in vigorously refuting and condemning accusations of animal abuse on the films.

The production acted swiftly and responsibly in addressing any incidents involving animals in its care throughout the long filming process, and in fact, measures were taken to protect all farm animals, including those uninvolved with the films.

The studio also state that the animal wranglers blowing the whistle were fired during filming.